BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation No 20230628-4 Resolution on City Employee Work from Home Policy WHEREAS, the City of Austin's vision for net zero emissions by 2040 prioritizes greenhouse gas emission reduction and calls for 50% of trips to be made by using public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or avoided altogether by working from home; and WHEREAS, the Climate Equity Plan states that climate impacts are not felt equally across all communities and that the City of Austin's Interim City Manager's recent orders to revoke work- from-home will disproportionately impact employees who may not be able to afford transportation costs, child care, and other expenses related to commuting while inflation and affordability issues continue to be of concern when recruiting and retaining city staff; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is struggling to fill many positions and allowing employees to work remotely is a benefit that costs the city nothing and removing this benefit will likely make recruitment and retention of employees even more challenging, and vacancies result in unfulfilled goals and reduced services, which is not in the community’s interest; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aims to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases by encouraging telework and work-from-home initiatives; and WHEREAS, driving contributes to the creation of ground-level ozone, which is a harmful air pollutant that causes and contributes to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; and WHEREAS, driving creates a large amount of plastic pollution from wear on tires and brakes; and WHEREAS, Travis County has implemented a work-from-home policy and 75% of the employees who are eligible to work from home are doing so; and WHEREAS, Austin City Council directed the city manager to research the benefits of expanding the telework option for City of Austin employees in June 2022 to be completed in September 2022, but the city manager never delivered results of the study; and WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee recognizes that the Interim City Manager's recent orders are partially meant to stimulate economic activity in the City of Austin near its currently underutilized commercial spaces, but that allowing local startups and creative classes to take advantage of the underutilized city office space as incubators and accelerators for their businesses may provide more long-term economic benefits to the City of Austin than having public workers and city staff drive into an office; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation No 20230628-5 Resolution Endorsing the Community Investment Budget The Joint Sustainability Committee hereby endorses the attached FY 2023-2024 Community Investment Budget created and endorsed by dozens of Austin community organizations because it is aligned with the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and improving sustainability in Austin. For: Kaiba White, Haris Qureshi, Rodrigo Leal, Christopher Campbell, Lane Becker, Alice Woods, Melissa Rothrock, Jon Salinas, Heather Houser, Frances Deviney Date: June 28, 2023 Motioned By: Rodrigo Leal Seconded By: Haris Qureshi Vote: 10-0 Against: None Abstain: Charlotte Davis Off Dais: Yureisly Suarez Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Joint Sustainability Committee Staff Liaison Community Investment Budget The City’s budget is a reflection of our values. Those values should be reflected in a city budget created through an equitable, language-accessible and digitally-inclusive participatory budgeting process. The undersigned organizations jointly urge the following investments in community health, affordability, sustainability and safety for FY24 totaling $101.7 million or 7.8% of this year’s roughly $1.3 billion General Revenue budget. This request should be prioritized in the development of the City Manager’s Proposed Budget and as Council finalizes it. Austin’s budget is also a reflection of our city’s priorities. Austin should center its community needs in its budget, as articulated below. The undersigned groups ask that City management and elected officials prioritize the community issues listed below, which include but are not limited to, appropriate across the board pay increases for city staff to address inflation, park/youth/family programming, workforce development and services for those most in need. In recognition of the need for equitable resource support we ask that BIPOC led & served organizations be prioritized. ● Parent Support Specialists [$2.4M] ● Tenant Notification & Relocation Assistance Ordinance [$500,000] ● Emergency rental assistance, eviction defense, and tenant legal and support services [$16M] ● Inflation adjustment for city workers [$4M] ● Ebook Licensing Fees [$1M] ● Workforce Development [$5.9M] ● EMS Wage Increase [$14.7M] ● Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Victim services [$1.2M] ● Office of Violence Prevention [$500,000] ● Implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan [$685,000] ● Park Maintenance, Safety, Equity, and Restoration [$3.9M] ● Carver Library and Museum [$300,000] ● Tenant Education, Stabilization Support, and Community-based Agreement Support [$600,000] ● Displacement Prevention and Reentry Navigators [$1.5M] ● Estate and Probate Planning for Seniors [$300,000] ● Fair Housing Education, Support, and Testing [$500,000] ● Emergency Supplemental Assistance for Low Income Residents …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES May 24, 2023 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at PDC. Acting Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:12 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Anna Scott, Kaiba White, Charlotte Davis, Rick Brimer, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Yure Suarez Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Alice Woods, Jon Salinas, Melissa Rothrock, Rodrigo Leal, Heather Houser, Chris Campbell, Diana Wheeler Board Members Absent: Kelsey Hitchingham, Frances Deviney, City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer, Rohan Lilauwala, Sydnee Landree CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The speakers who registered in advance for public comment have three minutes each to address items on the agenda at this time. Scott Johnson o Air quality and climate are intertwined. Find ways to implement air quality plan. Scott can be a resource. o JSC made a recommendation to hire a full-time employee on sustainable purchasing – Scott supports this. o Need JSC support to make this position successful and expand their reach across the city. 1. Approval of minutes from the April 26th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Scott motions to approve, Houser seconds, all in favor (13-0) Passes 12-0 with Woods abstaining. 2. JSC Officer Elections for the 2023-2024 Term (Discussion and/or Possible Action). Wheeler nominates White for Chair, Campbell seconds. White nominates Wheeler for Vice-Chair, Scott seconds. o Both pass unanimously (13-0) 3. Creation of JSC working groups to help advance implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and updates from previously informal working groups (Discussion and/or Possible Action). Groups have been meeting informally, and are unofficial to date – Transportation, Buildings, Consumption + Natural Systems. Existing members been meeting unofficially, new members welcome. Goal – bring momentum to plan implementation, identify priorities and push them forward. Buildings – Salinas, Maxwell-Gaines White motions to formally create groups; Houser seconds o Passes unanimously (13-0) Updates from groups o Buildings – interest in moving forward building codes (2024 IECC, Passive House, etc.) some already happening with AEGB, how do we build on that work? o Consumption + Natural Systems – difficult to go through the plan and strategically rank actions. Consider implementation difficulty – will require outside outreach. Consumption section does not include as many policy changes, needs more money. Composting, green infrastructure, carbon neutrality for public lands – high impact + …
Green Workforce Accelerator Program Overview Joint Sustainability Committee | 06/28/2023 1 1 What and Why 2 Green Workforce Accelerator The GWA is a collaboration led by the Innovation Office between the Office of Sustainability, Office of Resilience, PARD, EDD, and ARR to expand the number and capacity of organizations providing good green jobs and green job training in Austin. ● The Climate Equity Plan has the overarching strategy of creating equitable access to good green jobs ● Several other departments and programs - e.g. Resilience, EDD, ARR, PARD - have initiatives that call for or support green jobs and equitable workforce development ● Historic IRA, BIL, and CHIPS and Science legislation is investing over $1T in clean energy and infrastructure, could create 12 million jobs - but no guarantee they will be good jobs that are accessible and provide career pathways to those who are most affected by climate change and have been locked out of economic prosperity. ● This program gives the City a vehicle to support community-based good green jobs and programs that help pursue our climate and equity goals. How we got here ● Fourth iteration of this program model for green jobs (others in 2019, 2021, 2022), seventh for all focus areas (affordability and homelessness, displacement mitigation 2019; homelessness 2023) ● Innovation Office developed the ACCC which included two community-based research studies to better understand what people want and need from green jobs programs, and an Austin green jobs economic analysis by UT. ● Number of partners providing training for and access to green jobs is low. Even less improving access for BIPOC, low income, LBGTQIA+, women, and other groups highly affected by climate impacts but with low access to green careers. ● City and its partners have and will grow significant power and influence for creating and supporting good green jobs based on the grants, direct payment tax credits, and infrastructure projects available through legislation. Now is the time to support and advance good partners. (Some of) the results from past programs ● ● ● ● ● Since 2019, 45 orgs enrolled/completed programs on affordability, homelessness, green jobs and climate change, workforce development, and anti displacement ● Created capacity for over 100 new jobs or job placements for residents 16 new programs or areas of service launched serving thousands of residents ● Majority of org participants go through major restructurings, growth, or formalizations or their …
City of Austin’s Telework Sustainability Impact Joint Sustainability Committee June 28, 2023 Whitney Holt Pushing for a return to office rather than expanding telework demonstrates leadership that is out of touch with the needs of taxpayers and the workforce. A fully maximized telework policy is the only option that both saves taxpayers money and brings the City of Austin closer to our Climate Equity goals. A robust and fully maximized telework policy for City of Austin employees will move us closer to meeting the goals outlined the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and Vision Zero.
FY24 Community Investment Budget Led by Equity Action ATX Introductions Who is Equity Action? ● Equity Action is a Political Action Committee (PAC) focused on centering equity and justice in Austin’s political system. What is the Community Investment Budget? ● In collaboration with dozens of community organizations, Equity Action has been facilitating a 2024 Community Investment Budget that will ask Austin City Council to commit to invest directly to community needs, such as: increased wages for Parent Support Specialists, emergency rental assistance and tenant support services, social services for those experiencing homelessness, increased funding for park support, and much more. Who are the organizations involved? ACLU of Texas Alliance for Safety and Justice Austin Area Urban League Austin Community Law Center Austin Environmental Democrats Austin Justice Coalition Austin Mutual Aid Austin Urban Technology Movement Avow Blackland CDC Black Lives Veggies The Nonprofit Black Mamas ATX Community Resilience Trust Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice District 5 for Black Lives East Austin Conservancy Education Austin Equity Action Fruitful Commons Fund Texas Choice Go Austin/ Vamos Austin Ground Game Texas Hungry Hill Foundation Just Liberty Lilith Fund MISMA (Mujeres Inspiradas en Sueños, Metas y Acciones) Planning Our Communities Pro Choice with Heart Public Citizen Save Our Springs Alliance Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group Statewide Leadership Council Sunrise Movement Austin Survive2Thrive Foundation Sustainable Food Center Texas Center for Justice and Equity Texas Fair Defense Project Texas Harm Reduction Alliance Texas Women’s Justice Coalition The NICE Project Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation Undoing White Supremacy Austin University Democrats Zilker Neighborhood Association And the list continues to grow… Why is the CIB important? When Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc across Austin, community members and organizations were the first to respond. Parent Support Specialists checked in on families to make sure they had what they needed to be safe, mutual aid and nonprofit organizations mobilized to rescue people from their homes (whether in a house or on the street), and local restaurants donated their time, food, and space to prepare and distribute meals. Our public libraries serve as community spaces, resource centers for unhoused and low-income people, and cultural hubs. EMS and City Workers are exploring opportunities in other cities due to salaries that have not kept pace with the increase cost of living in Austin. Lack of affordable, safe childcare is a barrier from employment and other opportunities to many families across the city. Why is the …
Sustainable Buildings WG Recommendations: • Adopt 2024 IECC Energy Conservation Code • Create a density bonus (that stacks on top of Affordability Unlocked bonus and others) to incentivize use of Passive House standard and/or Living Building Challenge • ECAD 2.0 – require efficiency upgrades to buildings that perform poorly on energy audits • Address AEGB limitations that exist because of Smart Housing (bifurcate program) • Explicitly promoting or incentivizing Passive House Standard, Living Building Challenge and Low Carbon building throughout the CoA RFP and building funding scoring metrics (stating preference for and/or adding points to scoring for meeting these standards)
Transportation WG Updates ID Strategy Description Key Questions and Next Steps ACEP Dashboard Status Not yet started Starting soon Underway/ Ongoing TLU 1.3 Create mobility hubs: Improve the physical access to and through the transit stop/station area to be accessible to all. TLU 3.6 Improve sidewalks, urban trails, and crossings: For new sidewalk and trail construction, improve access to transit stops, healthy food locations, health centers, community centers, multi-family residences, and facilities for seniors. Include provisions for shade and ambient lighting in the design and construction of new sidewalks and trails. ● ● ● ● ● ● What locations have already been identified by City staff/community for mobility hubs? How can mobility hubs integrate with the resilience hubs effort? Learn about status of Resilience Hubs Has the City engaged with groups like Smart Columbus to learn about implementation challenges, successes, etc.? What lessons learned has the City identified? Given that status is "ongoing" and several bonds have funded this work in recent year (trails, sidewalks, Project Connect, etc), what's the progress? Presentation from Public Works et al.? Coordinate with WalkBikeRoll - status of their efforts, where JSC can put its weight to move the needle. Research shade/climate-resilient design, to improve accessibility, safety of transit & trails. Invite leaders in this space. ID Strategy Description Key Questions and Next Steps TE 1.1 Conduct an EV Community Needs Assessment: Work with local community partners, grassroots organizations, and connection points like the Austin Energy Customer Assistance Program and the City’s affordable housing programs. TE 1.2 Create equitable incentives for buying and leasing EVs: Collaborate with community partners to create inclusive and easily accessible incentives for buying or leasing electric vehicles. This strategy would supplement existing state and federal programs, prioritize low-income communities and communities of color and focus on geographic areas with limited or no access to transit. TE 1.4 Launch an e-bike and electric car-sharing program: Be intentional and equity-focused when considering where to install car sharing locations, what types of vehicles to include, and how to accept payment ● What are obstacles to this starting? ● At AE presentation, ask about EV charging infrastructure in Austin - where will it be located? In multifamily housing? How is equity factored into this? Possible rec: Allocate funding for staff/consultant to conduct the assessment. The ACEP Dashboard states that additional research is needed to identify possible funding sources for increased EV incentives. What is …
REGULAR MEETING of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Building and Standards Commission may be participating via videoconference. The meeting may also be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Melanie Alley at 512-974-2679 or melanie.alley@austintexas.gov. AGENDA The Building and Standards Commission (“Commission”) may go into a closed session under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel or for other reasons permitted by law as specifically listed on this agenda. Further, if necessary, the Commission may go into a closed session as permitted by law regarding any item on this agenda. Building and Standards Commission Members Stephen Truesdell, Fire Marshall (Ex Officio) Sade Ogunbode, Chair Edgar Farrera, Vice Chair Timothy Stostad Joseph Benigno Edward Selig Michael Francis Luis Osta Lugo Blaine Campbell CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Building and Standards Commission regular meeting on May 24, 2023 and the corrected approved minutes of the Building and Standards Commission regular meeting on April 26, 2023 PUBLIC HEARINGS New Case(s): The Commission will hear the following cases concerning alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue an order to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises; and may assess civil penalties: Page 1 2. Case Number: CL 2023-024073 Property address: 1197 Coleto Street / Owner: Mabel Hall Harper Staff presenter: Michael Larner Staff recommendation: Demolish single family residential structure 3. Case Number: CL 2023- 070783 and CL 2012-111738 Property address: 4003 Avenue G / Owner: Charles B. Schwobel Staff presenter: Erica Thompson Staff recommendation: Issue new order for repair of roof of residential structure, and reduce penalties from order issued 12/12/2012 to 15 percent of total penalty amount. …
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 28, 2023 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2023 The BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 28 June, 2023, at the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC), 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, ROOM 1405, in Austin, Texas. Chair OGUNBODE called the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION (BSC) Meeting to order at 6:46 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Sade Ogunbode; Commissioners: Blaine Campbell, Michael Francis, Luis Osta Lugo, Edward Selig and Ex Officio Commissioner Chief Stephen Truesdell. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Timothy Stostad. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one appeared before the Commission for public communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on May 24, 2023 and approve the corrected approved minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on April 26, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of April 26, 2023 were approved on COMMISSIONER SELIG’s motion, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO’s second on a 6-0-0 vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS Conduct a public hearing and consider case number CL 2023-024070; Property address: 1197 Coleto Street. COMISSIONER OSTA LUGO moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’s second. A motion to table the item passed on COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER SELIG’s second on a 6-0-0 vote. COMISSIONER OSTA LUGO moved to bring the case back to hearing, COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL’s second. COMMISSIONER FRANCIS moved to close the public hearing and adopt City 1. 2. 1 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 28, 2023 staff’s recommended order for demolition within 45 days, COMMISSIONER SELIG’s second. The motion passed on a 6-0-0 vote. Conduct a public hearing and consider case numbers CL 2023-070783 and CL 2012- 111738; Property address: 4003 Avenue G. A motion to adopt City Staff’s recommendation failed on COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO’s second on a 5-1-0 vote. COMMISSIONER SELIG voted nay. A second motion to adopt City Staff’s recommendation for with modifications to strike paragraph 2 and on the 46th day, if compliance has been achieved, and reduce the accrued penalty amount from the prior repair order to fifteen percent, COMMISSIONER STOSTAD’S motion, COMMISSIONER SELIG’s second, failed on a 5-2-0 vote. CHAIR OGUNBODE, FRANCIS, SELIG and STOSTAD vote aye. COMMISSIONERS CAMPBELL and OSTA LUGO voted nay. A third motion to adopt City Staff’s recommendation with modifications, passed on COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL’s motion, COMMISSIONER OSTA …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA JUNE 28th, 2023 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. CST AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 MEETING AGENDA This meeting is being held in a hybrid format, and some members of the Commission may be participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or via telephone. Remote speakers must register in advance (June 27th by 12pm-Noon CST). All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting and public speakers will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. To speak or attend remotely, residents must contact the Equity Office’s Community Services Program Coordinator, Jeremy Garza, no later than 12pm-noon (CST) on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023. Please telephone call at (512) 978-1797 and/or email jeremy.garza@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, the item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address, and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT JIC MEMBER COMMISSIONS & REPRESENTATIVES: Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Primary Representative: Alternate Representative: Serita Fontanesi Antonio Ross Hanna Huang Nayer Sikder Juliana Gonzalez Richard Bondi Commission for Women Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Miriam Dorantes Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission Leonor Vargas Amanda Afifi Rebecca Austen Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Kimberly Brienzi (Vice-Chair of JIC) VACANT Morgan Davis VACANT Jennifer Powell Elizabeth Meyer JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA JUNE 28th, 2023 MEETING AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on April 26th, 2023. Whitney Holt, Austin Public Health Social Services Funding Specialist – on the equity impacts of the city’s repeal of telework. Budget Office staff briefing on changes to the budget process this year. 3. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the FY23-24 Financial Forecast and Equity Action’s Community Investment Budget a with possible action …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES JUNE 28th, 2023 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th, 2023, at AUSTIN CITY HALL - BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, 301 W. 2ND STREET in AUSTIN, TEXAS. Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING to order at 3:05pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes & Melissa Ortega Human Rights Commission: Kimberly Brienzi & Morgan Davis Commissioners Absent: Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas & Eliza Gordon LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell & Elizabeth Meyer Staff in Attendance: Jeremy Garza, Business Process Consultant – Equity Office JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES MEETING MINUTES JUNE 28th, 2023 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Whitney Holt: City of Austin APH employe speaking independently as community member on the equity impacts of the city’s repeal of telework. Ben Suddaby: Presendet of AFSCME LOCAL 1624 and Travis County employee on how withdrawing the telework policy would negatively impacts the communites represented by the commission members of the Joint Inclusion Committee. Jose Perez: City of Austin worker speaking indepdenty as a life-long Austinite with 14 years tenure working in th City on the personal effects of removing telework and the business benefits of maintaining telework employee benefits. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on April 26th, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of APRIL 26th, 2023, were approved on COMMISSIONER REBECCA AUSTEN’s motion, COMMISSIONER HANNA HUANG’s second on a 6 – 0 vote. (Off the Dais: LGBTQ Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commission. Absent: Early Childhood Council, Leonor Vargas/Eliza Gordan AND the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, Jennifer Powell & Elizabeth Meyer. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Whitney Holt, Austin Public Health Social Services Funding Specialist – on the equity impacts of the city’s repeal of telework. The motion to indefinitely table agenda item #2 because it was incorrectly placed on …
JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20230628-007 STATEMENT OF TRANSGENDER RIGHTS Date: June 28, 2023 Subject: Joint Endorsement of the Human Rights Commission’s Recommendation 20230424-07: Statement of Transgender Rights Motioned by: Commissioner Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Commissioner Richard Bondi HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20230424-07 JOINTLY ENDORSED RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WHEREAS, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and WHEREAS, decisions regarding the healthcare of children should be made by the parents, in consult with their children and their doctors, and WHEREAS, in the 88th session of the Texas Legislature, legislation is currently being considered that, should it become law, would deny the right of parents and their children to seek gender- affirming healthcare of any kind, and WHEREAS, denial of gender-affirming healthcare is hateful and harmful, and can cause extreme emotional and physical distress for transgender children and their families, and WHEREAS; the Texas Legislature is also considering a constitutional amendment that would assert and guarantee Parental Rights; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Joint Inclusion Committee of the City of Austin urges the Mayor and the City Council to condemn this attempt to interfere with the rights of parents to make decisions with and on behalf of their children regarding their physical and mental health, and that we stand united in our support of transgender children and adults, as well as with all LGTBQIA+ communities everywhere. ROLL CALL VOTE: 5 – 1 – 0 For: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi Against: None. Abstain: Human Rights Commission: Kimberly Brienzi & Morgan Davis Absent: Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas & Eliza Gordon Attest: Jeremy Garza, Staff Liaison, Equity Office: LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT at time of vote. Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell & Elizabeth Meyer x_______________________________
City of Austin’s Te le work Equity Impact Joint Inclusion Committee June 28, 20 23 Whitne y Holt Pushing for a return to office rather than expanding telework demonstrates leadership that is out of touch with the needs of taxpayers and the workforce. Repealing telework is an effective pay cut that will have disproportionately negative impact across race and gender. Telework facilitates a more diverse and inclusive workplace. A fully maximized telework policy is the only option that both saves taxpayers money and brings the City of Austin closer to our Climate Equity goals. Even when commutes are reduced in frequency, the function and existence of office buildings being utilized even just one day a week by each worker negatively impacts the environment and diverts land resources from projects that better meet community needs.
Welcome to the Community Investment Budget Information Session! Hosted by Equity Action AT X Introductions Who is Equity Action? ● Equity Action is a P olitical Action Committee (P AC) focused on centering equity and justice in Austin’s political system. W hat is the Community Investment Budget? ● In collaboration with dozens of community organizations, Equity Action has been facilitating a 2024 Community Investment Budget that will ask Austin City Council to commit to invest directly to community needs, such as: increased wages for P arent Support Specialists, emergency rental assistance and tenant support services, social services for those experiencing homelessness, increased funding for park support, and much more. History of CIB and other Community-Led Budget Initiatives Austin has a long history of community-based budgeting. ● Over many years Communities of Color United presented their P eople’s Budget. T hey started something amazing, where people discuss and decide priorities for local spending. ● T hen in 2021, the Austin P olice Association and Save Austin Now put a measure on the ballot that would have required Austin to spend all the available new money coming in on police, regardless of other needs. Austin said No W ay! ● Out of that big coalition to protect the budget came the first Community Investment Budget for F Y22-23. W e pressed the city to think about public safety in a new way -- well maintained parks, shelter, youth activities, EMS’s staffing, an independent forensic lab. ● T his year we’re back, because housing stability, workforce development, child development, and increasing wages for City Employees and EMS should be of utmost priority in the upcoming budget cycle. Who are the organizations involved? ACLU of Texas Alliance for Safety and Justice Austin Area Urban League Austin Community Law Center Austin Environmental Democrats Austin Justice Coalition Austin Mutual Aid Austin Urban Technology Movement Avow Blackland CDC Black Lives Veggies The Nonprofit Black Mamas ATX Community Resilience Trust Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice District 5 for Black Lives East Austin Conservancy Education Austin Equity Action Fruitful Commons Fund Texas Choice Go Austin/ Vamos Austin Ground Game Texas Hungry Hill Foundation Just Liberty Lilith Fund MISMA (Mujeres Inspiradas en Sueños, Metas y Acciones) Planning Our Communities Pro Choice with Heart Public Citizen Save Our Springs Alliance Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group Statewide Leadership Council Sunrise Movement Austin Survive2Thrive Foundation Sustainable Food Center Texas Center for Justice …
Table of Contents General Fund ................................................................................. 3 Enterprise Departments Typical Ratepayer Impact ..................................................... 9 Austin Code ........................................................................... 10 Austin Convention Center .................................................... 12 Austin Energy ........................................................................ 14 Austin Resource Recovery ................................................... 19 Austin Water ......................................................................... 23 Aviation .................................................................................. 27 Development Services ......................................................... 29 Transportation and Public Works ...................................... 31 Watershed Protection ......................................................... 35 Capital Improvement Program ................................................ 39 Unfunded Items from Council ................................................... 41 Appendix: 2023 Economic & Sales Tax Forecast ................ 45 General Fund Forecast Expenditures The General Fund is the general operating fund for the City of Austin. It includes ten departments that provide programs, activities, and services directly to the citizens of Austin, as well as to surrounding communities. Total FY 2024 base expenditures for the General Fund are projected at $1.33 billion, which is $50.0 million, or 3.9%, higher than the FY 2023 Approved Budget. The largest portion of the General Fund budget, approximately 64.4%, is allocated to the four existing public safety departments: Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Forensic Science. The community service departments, namely Parks and Recreation, Austin Public Health, Library, Animal Services, Municipal Court and the Housing and Planning Department collectively comprise 29.7% of the General Fund budget. Transfers & Other represent the remaining 5.9% of General Fund resources. Uses of Funds ‐ General Fund ($1,327.4 million) Parks and Recreation 9.2% Housing and Planning 1.5% Municipal Court 2.9% Libraries 5.1% Austin Public Health 9.6% Forensic Science 1.1% For the FY 2024 Forecast, General Fund expenditures are projecting to increase by $50.0 million over the FY 2023 Amended Budget. Major cost drivers and year-over-year adjustments include: Sworn public safety personnel costs in the amount of $38.4 million, including for pay enhancements approved in 2023, increased health insurance and pension contribution costs, and the projected impact of prospective new meet-and-confer agreements; o EMS, Fire, and Police labor negotiations are on-going and this forecast includes placeholder values—projected based on market factors and historical trends—for the ultimate cost of these contracts; $14.3 million for personnel and benefit cost drivers for our civilian workforce related to wages, market-driven salary adjustments, health insurance, and pension contribution increases; Police 36.3% Transfers & Other 5.9% Animal Services 1.4% Emergency Medical Services 9.1% Fire 17.9% FY 2024-2028 FINANCIAL FORECAST REPORT3 I Page $10.0 million to return to a cash-funding model for Police vehicle replacements and associated wireless equipment expenses, as the frequency and regularity of their replacement make …
Joint Inclusion Commi(cid:425)ee FY23‐24/FY24‐25 Budget Process Please save these dates! Budget Workshop: This is a special workshop, jointly organized by the Budget Office & Equity Office, that invites all budget workgroups from all ten commissions to a(cid:425)end and meet face to face with the department leadership and their staff from the City Departments whom y’all have submi(cid:425)ed budget recommenda(cid:415)ons to. This event offers commissioners an opportunity to strengthen rela(cid:415)onships with department leadership, and ques(cid:415)on priori(cid:415)es and ques(cid:415)on if, where, and how your budget recommenda(cid:415)ons have been approved and incorporated or rejected. City Departments normally in a(cid:425)endance include: Aus(cid:415)n Public Health, Parks & Recrea(cid:415)on Department, Aus(cid:415)n Transporta(cid:415)on Department, Aus(cid:415)n Housing & Planning Department, Communica(cid:415)ons & Public Informa(cid:415)on Office, Economic Development Department, Aus(cid:415)n Public Library, and more! Saturday, September 16th, 2023 from 11am to 1pm Budget Town Halls: Last year, we could these “Quality‐of‐Life Town Halls.” These events are the only formal community outreach that commissions organize every year. These town halls invite members of the public to come and share the most important issues impac(cid:415)ng their lives, which will help shape budget recommenda(cid:415)ons for FY24‐25 which are due at the end of March 2024. These events also provide an opportunity to let members of the public influence the advocacy priori(cid:415)es for all commissions. These town halls are only successful if commissioners help organize, spread the word, and help get people to a(cid:425)end. Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 ‐ Budget Town Hall #1 for the public (Evening/Night‐ time Dinner Event, 6:30pm ‐ 8:00pm) HOSTED IN PERSON Thursday, October 26th, 2023 ‐ Budget Town Hall #2 for the public (Day‐time/Lunch Saturday, November 4th, 2023 ‐ Budget Town Hall #3 for the public (Weekend/Saturday Event, 12:00 pm ‐ 1:30 pm) HOSTED VIRTUALY ONLY Event, 11:00 am ‐ 12:30 pm) HOSTED IN PERSON Pending approval from the Budget Office on a 4th Town Hall hosted VIRTUALY ONLY
Joint Inclusion Committee Telework Report (1) Pushing for a return to office rather than expanding telework demonstrates leadership that is out of touch with the needs of taxpayers and the workforce. Travis County recently won national recognition for their telework policy. Among the many benefits cited by Commissioner Shea, includes the $1.3 million saved in utilities costs for 2020-2021 for the 50% of their workforce (~2500) that is eligible for complete or mostly remote work. Outside consultants estimated that Travis County could reduce its administrative space by as much as 83%, or more than 1 million square feet. About 40% of the county's real estate is made up of administrative space. Even though the percentages wouldn’t be exact based on the difference between City and County services, roughly speaking if these were reflected of City resources, we could expect: ● 8000 workers working completely or mostly remote. The City stated that 5,817 workers currently telework; however, this seems low and it was unclear how the numbers account for workers who have been required to conduct all or part of their week in office despite lack of business need to do so. This means 8000 fewer cars on the road, and a reduction in the traffic, environmental, and safety concerns related to these commutes. ● Well over one billion dollars in cost savings in just a few years due to the $48,126,000 spent annually on building leases alone (pg. 71 of document, pg 98 of PDF), and $541,000 on land. This cost does not include the multi millions spent on utilities, maintenance, landscaping, security, insurance, and other administrative building related costs. Embracing a maximized telework policy allows for better utilization of real estate and taxpayer dollars, which is outlined in more detail on page 10. In addition to the cost savings cited by Travis County, Commissioner Shea outlines the positive impact that telework has had on their recruitment and retention: “The remote work policy has been a boon for recruitment, according to Zephyr Stone, the county’s talent planning and engagement manager. Compared to fewer than 23,000 applications in 2019, the county received more than 30,000 in 2020, before settling down to just below 30,000 in the past two years.” This stands in stark contrast to the City’s vacancy rate being up 60% from where it was in 2019. Part of the coordinated Citywide campaign to reduce vacancy rates included the benefit …
